Talladega Heights

Oh my what a wonderful day to be out on a motorcycle!  Temperature yesterday was pushing 80 but today it was right at 68 degrees with a bit of cloud cover and not a whole lot of wind to speak of.  Pretty much perfect.  I decided to get on the interstate and drive west for a bit into Alabama in the area of the Talladega National Forest and I'm so glad that I did.  It's just under an hour from the garage to the first overlook in the forest... not bad at all and definitely worth the trip.  The road I was on through the forest was almost empty and since it's still too early for the leafy trees to have leaves on them nothing really blocked the view on either side of the road as I moved along.  I stopped at all but one of the overlooks figuring I came here, why not?

OK... first stop and quite the view.  Looking east here, for the most part.  I have no idea how far the line of sight was but although the camera can't really capture the view, it was quite far indeed.

This was more of a little gravel area along side of the road.  Love it!  Oh yes, like GA, Alabama doesn't seem to believe in shoulders either.  Although I would have loved to have stopped to take in more of the views, there was just no where to stop.

Once again... stopped for the view.  Looking pretty much west at this one as I remember it.  When riding between these areas the road is really tightly forested and then it clears for these overlooks.  I didn't see a lot of guard rails even where I thought they really needed one.  I guess the thinking is that if you go off the road and down the side of the mountain, the trees are going to stop you from going too far.  That's great for a car or truck... wonder how it works for motorcycles?

And another...

... and another :)

OK... first attempt at taking a picture of myself.  I set the camera on the trunk bag, set the timer and let it rip.  Not too bad and one of the very few of me out for a ride.  Love that helmet hair!!

Spring Springing 2011

Well, this is going to be short but wanted to share.  I stepped out on the front porch tonight to just sit and watch the sun go down... see if the sky turned red and all that.  I stepped out and while the color of the sky didn't catch my eye, the colors of spring sure did.  So, I grabbed the camera and snapped these shots just so I'd have them.  I have no idea what the red bush is or the beautiful white trees... sorry.  The bushes with the small green leaves on them are the Knockout Rose bushes that we trimmed rather tightly this year.  The trees that look like sticks are the Crepe Myrtles (sp?) that are also trimmed pretty tightly.  More on those later, for sure.  Anyway... just some pretty pictures to share with anyone who looks at this.  Hurrah for spring !!!

Again, no idea what that rid bush/shrub is but it is pretty big.  It starts just off the front porch and runs along the front of the house in from of the bedroom we use for the office.  Nice to look out at.

More of a close up on the white tree.  Looks like snow, doesn't it?  Well, it's not!